The Beauty of Beijing’s Forbidden City
The Forbidden City, or the Palace Museum as it’s officially known, is located in the heart of Beijing, China. Its name comes from the fact that at one point, entry to its grounds was forbidden to all but emperors and their families. While it’s no longer restricted to just the royal family, tourists are nonetheless drawn to this world-famous place like moths to flame. Read on to learn more about what makes it so appealing!
What is the forbidden city?
Also known as The Palace Museum, it was home to 24 emperors for nearly 500 years and contains about a quarter-million rooms. It is considered one of Beijing’s most popular tourist attractions. Inside are 9,999 stone steps and many beautiful wooden structures built in traditional Chinese architectural style.
Even though it is sometimes called forbidden city there are no restrictions on tourists entering (except at times of national emergency or when special events are being held.) Here you can see all that China has to offer in terms of beauty, tradition and history. Walking down the path towards the buildings, I could imagine what it must have been like to live inside the palace with its ancient architecture towering over me. It felt grandiose and majestic.
Wooden structures covered with white paint loomed up above me as I approached them: I could almost hear the chatter from within their walls as people went about their daily lives centuries ago. The only thing that seemed different were the cars driving by outside along with an occasional scooter buzzing past, reminding me that this was still very much a modern society outside this old relic. As I walked through the doors into the first courtyard, I couldn’t help but wonder if any of those who had walked these halls hundreds of years before had ever imagined such sights as we see today.
Sitting here, walking around the grounds of what once served as the heart of Imperial power, it is hard not to be impressed by how long they lasted.
After walking around the entire Forbidden City complex, my thoughts turned to whether or not it will be standing another 500 years. There are so many visitors each day; wear and tear is inevitable. For now however, I am happy just sitting among the crowds enjoying my glimpse into another world without fear or worry.
What is its history?
The story behind China’s grandest imperial palace is a long and fascinating one, starting with its somewhat serendipitous construction. The Forbidden City was commissioned by Emperor Yongle in 1406, who abandoned his current capital—the magnificent but unfortunately named Palace of Peace and Harmony—after hearing tales that such a place had existed once before.
According to legend, more than 900 years earlier, Kublai Khan built a city in China’s remote north that was so remarkable it could only be described as a heaven on earth. Though he never found it, Yongle was determined to build an equally impressive home for his family and subjects. With the help of the noted architect Wangshu (王舒), he conceived the ultimate in imperial pomp: two grand palaces standing side-by-side, connected by nine passageways hidden from view; all surrounded by walls over 20 feet high and a moat over 30 feet deep. In 1520, just shy of a century after construction began, the new Palace Under Heaven was finally complete.
The Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace, is an imperial complex of buildings in the center of Beijing, China. It served as the home of the Emperor of China during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, until 1924, when it was replaced by the Palace Museum in the western suburbs of Beijing.
It might not have been what Yongle was looking for—the vast scale made it difficult to decorate individual rooms with furnishings or artworks since everything looked miniscule in comparison—but still has managed to endure nearly 600 years since being completed.
Why do tourists visit it?
Tourists love to visit China, and for many that includes visiting historical sites like China’s renowned Forbidden City. The fact that it was forbidden to tourists by government officials until as recently as 1992 has made it an even more popular place for visitors from all over world.
With tourist numbers on a steep increase year-on-year, there are some important points to bear in mind when you visit Beijing. If you don’t know what they are, here are some guidelines Do not point at the statues or take photos without permission. Try not to climb on them or touch them without being invited first. Remember your manners!
Do not snap your fingers at anyone or make sudden movements – this is considered rude in Chinese culture. Dress modestly and appropriately; wearing shorts, short skirts or other clothes deemed inappropriate will attract negative attention. Be respectful if you see people bowing; do not copy their actions unless they invite you to do so. It can be tempting to approach people with questions but try not to interrupt anything as they may be praying or in mourning. Keep your hands out of your pockets while you’re inside the palace grounds – it’s considered rude.
How to go there?
The Forbidden City is located in central Beijing and can be reached by bus, subway or taxi. Entry to The Forbidden City costs 100 yuan for adults and 20 yuan for children under 16 (around $14 USD and $3 USD respectively), a fee that includes entry to The Palace Museum. Tickets are sold at booths near each entrance, with manned booths at all four entrances on Tiananmen Square offering tickets in English as well as Chinese.
Those who want to avoid waiting in line can purchase tickets online or by phone. Individual entry tickets are valid for one day only and entrance is closed an hour before closing time; however, same-day multi-entrance passes allow access throughout multiple areas of The Palace Museum including emperors’ quarters, gardens and parks. There are also opportunities to climb the Meridian Gate Tower (北京中轴线塔) which offers excellent views over the city. Admission to the tower starts from 15 yuan ($2 USD).
It is open daily from 9am until 5pm but should be reserved in advance due to limited space. Advance booking is not possible during peak periods, such as national holidays and school breaks. Tours offered in English start every 15 minutes from 8:30am onwards. Groups should book tickets three days ahead of their visit, with group size capped at 40 people per tour. Photography inside the museum is forbidden, so visitors need to leave cameras behind when entering the complex if they don’t want them confiscated. Visitors may bring handbags into the complex but are advised not to bring backpacks or large suitcases for security reasons – something I wish I had known before we travelled!
Getting around in beijing for first timers
The easiest way to get around Beijing is on foot, so get up close and personal with your new home city. Walk from Tiananmen Square to The Forbidden City or from The National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) to The Water Cube—there are great views along both routes.
If you need a break, stop by Hutong Pizza for fresh sourdough pizza. Or hop into a pedicab; you’ll notice that many locals take them short distances—it’s a fun way to see more of China’s capital. To explore Beijing’s hutongs, walk west from Jingshan Park past the red brick houses to Ping’Anli Lane. For the best nightlife in town, head south down Laoer East Street towards Ghost Street.
One of the most picturesque walks in all of Beijing takes you north on Wangfujing Street past Huiju Theater until it meets Chang’An Avenue, where you can choose between turning left towards Dongzhimenwai Dajie and walking west towards Gongzhufen subway station or continuing north on Chang’An Avenue until it meets Bei Hai Road where there is a pedestrian bridge over the Second Ring Road which will lead back to Wangfujing near the Bird’s Nest stadium.
